Crispy Crab Cake Balls (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
Crispy crab bites are a spot on Cheesecake Factory Copycat of their small plate crab cake ball offering. This appetizer delivers big restaurant flavor in a fun, bite-sized package that's perfect for an appetizer or even a main course.
Servings: 18 balls
Calories: 200kcal
Ingredients
For The Crab Balls
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 16 oz lump crab meat
- 2/3 cup plain panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup plain fine bread crumbs
- canola oil for frying
For The Mustard Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- pinch salt optional
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, eggs, mustard, Old Bay, and lemon juice to a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together until evenly combined.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 large egg, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Add the crab and bread crumbs to the bowl, stirring everything together again until evenly combined.16 oz lump crab meat, 2/3 cup plain panko bread crumbs
- Roll the mixture into 1" balls (roughly 1 1/2 tbsp mixture) and transfer them to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until all the meat mixture has been used. Freeze, flat, for 10-15 minutes.
- While the balls are freezing add the mustard sauce ingredients to a small bowl. Whisk together to combine and then refrigerate to chill.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp granulated garlic, 1 tsp lemon juice, pinch salt
- Spread the bread crumbs out on a shallow plate. Remove the balls from the freezer and roll them in the bread crumbs until coated completely. Reshape into balls, as needed, then return them to the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Freeze for another 15-20 minutes.1 cup plain fine bread crumbs
- Fry the balls in hot oil, working in batches of 5-6, and turning as needed until they're golden brown and crispy. Using a slotted spoon transfer the crispy crab balls to a paper towel lined plate to drain off excess oil.canola oil
- Serve warm with chilled mustard sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Don't skip the freezing times! Freezing these prevents the crab balls from falling apart when you fry them.
- As written the recipe will make roughly 18 balls, but can make more or less depending on how large you make them.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying or the crab cakes won't cook evenly.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 375mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg